NCJ Number
177489
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 39 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 1999 Pages: 240-252
Date Published
1999
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Juvenile justice in France is somewhat different from that in other countries; one judge deals exclusively with children in civil matters and with juvenile delinquents in criminal matters.
Abstract
The preference of French law is to seek educative solutions rather than to impose prison sentences or other repressive measures. This legal way of dealing with juvenile delinquents has been used in France for 50 years. Special courts have been established outside the regular penal system and have resources at their disposal to understand and intervene with juveniles. The preference for educative rather than repressive measures is in line with the historical evolution of the judicial consideration of juveniles in France. To analyze juvenile justice proceedings in a sample of French regions, courts in Paris, St. Etienne, Gap, and Rennes were surveyed. Court case file data showed 91 percent of offenses were committed by boys between 12 and 17 years of age, and offenses primarily involved simple thefts. Offenses were most often committed in towns where juveniles lived. Boys more often used violence to commit offenses than girls, and girls benefited from social service and psychomedical follow-up more than boys. Most court judgments were passed in the judge's chamber. Main principles of the French juvenile justice system, the importance of child protection, and the role of juvenile judges are discussed. 15 references and 9 tables